Barking up the Right Tree

Transcription

1 Barking up the Right Tree An investigation into the surviving trees from the presubdivision era of Torrens Park, in the City of Mitcham. This report has been produced as a part of the assessment for ARCH8508 Directed Study in Cultural Heritage Management graduate topic in the Department of Archaeology, Flinders University Flinders University

2 Executive Summary This report is the final stage of a project to determine what significant trees lie within Torrens Park, a suburb of the City of Mitcham. The project was to identify them, plot them on a map and to prepare a case study for the nomination of tree(s) to the National Trust Significant Tree Register. This project has been undertaken for the Mitcham City Council. The definition of what is a significant tree is taken from the Development Act 1993, which means a tree s circumference must be two metres or more at one metre from the ground. This report offers a history of the suburb and of the vegetation of Adelaide. Surveying all public areas, except for Randell Park, yielded one hundred and twenty nine trees from thirty-five different species, the predominant tree being the River Red Gum. Five gums from the Mitcham Shopping Center are presented for nomination to the National Trust Register because they represent a small glimpse of Torrens Park before colonization and they are potentially in danger from development and construction at the shopping center. Finally this report reveals the need for further work and for the surveying of private lands to find more significant trees. 2

3 Table of Contents Executive Summary Page 2 List of Figures Page 5 List of Photos Page 6 1. Introduction Page Relevant Legislation and Registers Page Acknowledgements Page 9 2. Methodology Page Research and Results Page History of Torrens Park: the Estate and the Suburb Page History of Vegetation Page In the Adelaide Hills and Plains Page In The Torrens Park Estate Page Significant Trees Found in Survey Page 18 Table #1 Page Observations Page 20 3

4 3.5 Case Study for Nomination to National Trust Page Problems, Difficulties and Suggestions Page Conclusions Page 24 Appendix Page 25 Appendix #1 Page 25 Appendix #2 Page 29 Table #2 Page 31 Table #3 Page 32 Table #4 Page 52 References Page 54 4

5 List of Figures Figure #1. Page 14 Brief Timeline of Torrens Park s History. Figure #2. Page 15 Map of all sections laid out in the 1830s that lie within the current boundaries of Torrens Park. Figure #3. Map of Torrens Park with all significant trees both public and private plotted. Page 30A 5

6 List of Photos Photo #1 Ironbark sideroxylon), Mitcham Shopping Centre. Front Page Photo #2 Page 16 River Red Gum camaldulenis), Mitcham Shopping Centre. Photo #3 Page 19 Grey Box microcarpa), Gowrie Street. Photo #4 Page 19 Peppercorn Tree (Schinus molle), George Street. Photo #5 Page 20 Salmon Gum salmonophloia), Adam Street. Photo #6 Page 21 River Red Gum camaldulenis), Mitcham Shopping Centre. Photo #7 Page 22 River Red Gum camaldulenis), Mitcham Shopping Centre. Photo #8 Page 24 River Red Gum camaldulenis), Private Home on Newark Road. 6

7 Introduction: The aim of this report is to discuss the results from a study regarding the trees in Torrens Park, a suburb of the City of Mitcham (see Figure #3, page 30A). The original aim of this project entails determining what significant trees have survived from before the area was subdivided. However, as it is a specialized field to determine the age of trees and since the subdivision of Torrens Park has occurred and reoccurred at different times over a period of over one hundred years, the scope of this project has been altered slightly. The trees that have been included in this report are those that are defined as significant as set down by the Development Act 1993 (Section 1.1). Trees can be as important as any building, even in the world of cultural heritage. There are many trees that have stood in place larger and/or longer than any building. In archaeology they can be used as a tool of dating and also as a means of recording climate conditions from thousands of years ago (Renfrew and Bahn 2000:135). In Adelaide, and indeed in all of Australia, trees are significant to both the Indigenous people and those of colonial descent. Trees play a part in the aesthetic life of an area, its streets are lined with trees for shade and to enhance its visual appearance, parklands are filled with flora to give people to chance to enjoy nature without having to leave the city. Trees form a large part of the economical survival for many people, through the production of fruits and timber for sale. Trees also form a part of the social and historical environment of any suburb or city, through commemorative plantings, the introduction and spread of alien species of both flora and fauna. For all these reasons and more, trees need protecting, but the problem is having a record of which trees exist, to go out and measure trees in every street (and property) in a city as large as Mitcham is a daunting and time-consuming task. This report is set out in sections; in the first two sections all relevant legislation and the National Trust are discussed as well as the methodology used in this study. I have covered the history of Torrens Park both the estate and the suburb, including a brief list of important dates pertaining to the area (see figure #1). I have also presented a brief background of the vegetation of Adelaide and Torrens Park and compiled extensive lists 7

8 of the trees that have been available in the last two hundred years. Section 3.3 is a case study of trees that I offer as worthy for nomination to the National Trust Register and all the data collected from surveying are summarized and discussed, a CD is included in this report containing all photos of significant trees in Torrens Park. For the benefit of others who may take on this project for other suburbs, I have listed the difficulties that I have encountered and added a few suggestions to avoid them. I conclude with recommendations for future work on the trees of Torrens Park. 1.1 Relevant Legislation and registers: As stated in the introduction, trees are important to many fields for many reasons and the law recognizes this importance and has made legislation to protect numerous plant species, including trees. The most important legislation to the city of Mitcham is the Development Act 1993 (SA). Its definitions and stipulations, which according to Tim Johnson, are the guidelines which are used by the Mitcham Council. This act defines a significant tree as: Any tree in Metropolitan Adelaide and townships in the Adelaide Hills Council with a trunk circumference of 2.0m or more. In the cases of trees with multiple trunks, those with trunks with a total circumference of 2.0 or more and an average circumference of 625mm or more, measures at a point 1.0m above natural ground level, or, Any tree identified as a significant tree in the City of Adelaide, City of Burnside, City of Prospect or City of Unley Development Plans. (LSC 2006:9) If a tree is deemed by the above criteria to be significant, any serious alteration or removal has to be approved by the local council. There are, of course exceptions in emergencies, but even so special care must be taken to minimize any damage to tree (LSC 2006:9). In certain circumstances trees have been able to receive further or higher protection. This protection occurs through the Heritage Act 1993 (SA). There is also a means of protection that unfortunately has no legislative standing but can add pressure for arguments and 8

9 actions taken by other agencies, this protection comes from the National Trust, who keep a significant trees register. The National Trust considers a tree significant if: They are outstanding and therefore deserving of special protection because of their rarity, appearance, natural or cultural importance. This may be on the basis of outstanding age, size, aesthetic merit, connection to an important historic event, scientific value, Aboriginal importance or occurrence in a unique location or context. (NTSA n.d.). 1.2 Acknowledgements: The completion of this project would not have been possible without the help of Maggy Ragless and Tim Johnson of the Mitcham Council, Jeff Lugg and the boys from the Horticultural Department at the Adelaide Zoo and my field assistants Natalie and Adam Hughes. 9

10 2. Methodology: This project required extensive research and fieldwork. The different areas of which I have listed in dot point below. Consulting with Maggy Ragless (Mitcham Heritage Officer) and Tim Johnson (Mitcham Horticultural Officer) was invaluable as they were able to answer specific questions and give suggestions on further research. I researched the suburb of Torrens Park and its vegetation using various sources, including survey reports, pamphlets, Mitcham Archives, internet sources, publications about the Torrens Park estate, the city of Mitcham, the colonization of South Australia and the transformation of the landscape. From these sources I compiled extensive lists of the trees that could be expected to be exist within Torrens Park. Several of these lists are quoted from historical sources and many names from these lists have changed in the past hundred years, so using various plant sites on the Internet, I have attempted to update the names. I ve also created a detailed context for this study, giving a timeline of the area and explaining the changes that have occurred. At first my intention was to determine significant trees from both private and public land in Torrens Park, but time restraints and discussion with some members of the public lead me to restrict myself to public lands only. Trees were located by traversing each street and exploring all other public areas. I accessed each tree through streets, lanes, pathways, and even through Brownhill Creek. In the field, my assistants and I took measurements, photographs, recorded the location and description of all the significant trees into a data file (see Tables #2 and 3) and plotted each one onto a scaled map (see figure #3). Each tree was given 10

11 a number so that it could be matched to it s photo(s) and information. 141 trees were recorded, but several numbers were later excluded for varying reasons including the realization that one of the trees measured was in fact dead. I measured each tree 1m from the ground up the trunk and from that point, I measured the complete circumference of the trunk or trunks. When measuring trees with multiple trunks, the circumference of each trunk was added together and was classified as significant if the total circumference was 2m or greater. The case study was prepared by using the nomination form available from the National Trust web site (section 3.5). In determining which tree(s) would be best for the nomination, I referred to the observations I had noted throughout the project. I identified the tree species (both common and scientific names) that I photographed through botanical guides and the patient help of the Jeff Lugg and the horticultural department at the Adelaide Zoo. For easier identification of any tree a surveyor needs to take clear photos of the foliage and seeds and not just the trunk and branches. I used an assistant for all my fieldwork because it was essential to have help when measuring trees and taking photographs. It was at times necessary to stand near or in the street to get a decent shot of a tree. It was also important to wear sensible clothing because despite the fact that this study was conducted in a suburban area, navigating our way to and around some trees proved extremely difficult. Also I decided to exclude Randell Park even though it is public land, this was because of the difficulty in determining the current suburb boundaries and I believe the vegetation of Randell Park would be better served if the whole park was treated as a single survey area. 11

12 3. Research and Results 3.1 History of Torrens Park, the Estate and the suburb: One of Adelaide s founding fathers was one Colonel Robert Torrens, the river that runs through Adelaide was named after him. He was one of earliest buyers when Adelaide was divided up in the 1830s, although his substantial property came to him through some questionable dealings. These plots were amongst the sections laid out by Colonel William Light and George Kingston in However before Light and his team had surveyed what was to be called the Garden City, the Adelaide plains and hills had been a home to the Indigenous people, named Kaurna, who were nearly wiped out through disease and other causes (Preiss and Oborn 1991:4, ref.). When the plains and hills were divided up, it was into sections of either eighty or one hundred and thirty-four acres. Many of these sections were sold to the South Australian Company, which was started by a man named George Fife Angas along with some colleagues. Among other things, this company established villages and sheep stations. One such village was created in 1840 when they subdivided section 248; this village would become Mitcham (Preiss and Oborn 1991:4-7). In 1852, one of the sections owned by Colonel Torrens, section 246, came to his son Robert Richards Torrens, who immediately began construction on a grand house and gardens, earning the home the name Torrens Park Estate (Preiss and Oborn 1991:19). In the years that R.R. Torrens owned the Estate, he added small parcels of land from other sections (248 and 245) 1 (see Figure #2). In 1866, the estate was sold to Walter Watson Hughes, who added more land to the estate from section 247 and extended the house. He also created a new road, which would become Princes Road (Preiss and Oborn 1991:203-4). 12

13 Hughes later sold the estate to Robert Barr-Smith in 1874, who added more land from section 245. In 1879, the railway was built through the western part of the estate. During WWI the house was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers. When Barr-Smith died in 1915, the estate passed in trust to his wife and plans were started for subdivision and sale (Preiss and Oborn 1991:487). The estate was sold in sections through auctions from 1917 to 1920 (see Figure #2). Trustees of Scotch College bought the house and immediate gardens in The rest of the estate changed hands several times over the next few decades. It was subdivided into different sizes over the years, before it became lots sizable for single houses, the last of which was sold in the 1950s (Preiss and Oborn 1991:505-6, 518, 526, Norman 1953:147-8). The remaining area of what is now the suburb of Torrens Park lies outside the estate, and mainly consisted of what was known as West Mitcham, which was made up of sections 247, 1141 and part of 100 (also known as Panchito Park) (Preiss and Oborn 1991:539-42). The S.A. company was granted sections 247 (247E sold back to the crown for unknown reasons) and 100. The majority of this land through various sales ended up in the hands of Misters Richard Custance and Thomas Hinkley, who also bought section All this was subdivided and sold at auction in 1854 (Preiss and Oborn 1991:543). For the first few decades after the auction West Mitcham was used for small-scale farming. Subdivision into single house lots happened mainly in the early part the 20 th century, like the Estate; the last lot was sold in the 1950s. Part of section 262, which ends at the railway line, was mostly occupied by an estate called Mitcham Lawn, which was subdivided and sold in 1947 (Preiss and Oborn 1991:544-5, ) leaving Torrens Park in roughly the same shape it is today. 1 Torrens, along with the other owners of the Estate bought land from other sections than those mentioned here, but these lie outside of the current suburb boundaries and are irrelevant to this report. However Preiss and Oborn s publication holds a detailed history off all land associated with the Torrens Park Estate. 13

14 Figure #1. Timeline of important dates for Torrens Park Pre 1836 Adelaide Plains home to the Kaurna People only South Australia was colonized 1839 Sections 248, 247 and 100 was granted to the S.A. Company. Section 247E sold back to crown. Sections 247 and 100 sold to Richard Custance and Thomas Hinkley. Custance and Hinkley also bought section S.A. Company subdivided section 248, it became the Village of Mitcham 1852 Section 246 came to R.R. Torrens, from his father Colonel Torrens District council of Mitcham was formed. Mitcham Lawn Estate, part of section 262, bought by James T. Manton The building of Torrens s House was finished. West Mitcham (sections 247, 100 and 1141) subdivided and sold Torrens Park Estate was sold to Walter Watson Hughes Estate sold to Robert Barr Smith Railway built through estate Robert Barr Smith died, plans for subdivision of estate were started First auction of Torrens Park Estate held in June, second held in October Third auction held in November 1919 Fourth auction held in June Sale of house and surrounding gardens to trustees of Scotch College Mitcham Lawn Estate subdivided. 14

15 Figure #2. Map of Sections with numbers set out by Colonel Light and his Team. All but section 248 form what is now known as Torrens Park (Mitcham Archives, Preiss and Oborn 1991:202, 539). 245 North Torrens Park Estate Village of Mitcham 247 Blythewood Road 247E 100 West 262 Mitcham Key 1141 Road Railway Line 15

16 3.2 History of Vegetation: In the Adelaide Hills and Plains: Where Adelaide now stands was once rich woodland, with hundreds of species of flora and fauna. This environment was supported by the Torrens River as well as the area s many creeks, including Brownhill Creek (traditionally called Wirraparing ) (Preiss and Oborn 1991:4). Sources from the early days of European settlement all mention numerous tall River Red Gums, Wattle trees and Peppermint Gums (Grey Box) (cited in Preiss and Oborn 1991:5-6). Photo #2 Tree 011 River Red Gum, camaldulenis), Mitcham Shopping Centre. The Adelaide plains were described as having a parkland appearance, but not without some bare patches caused by the burning practices of the Kaurna people, but their efforts were miniscule compared to what Europeans were able to accomplish (Kraehenbuehl 1996:1, Bagust and Tout-Smith 2005:iv). While the settlers were actually responsible for the major loss of local vegetation, they were quite content to blame it all on the Indigenous people. Torrens Park stands on what was once woodland and the Black 16

17 Forest, given its name by settlers for its dark-barked trees, Grey Box s (Bagust and Tout- Smith 2005:iv). From the 1870s to 1900 the Adelaide landscape was subject to a major transformation as people attempted to reshape their environment in the image of Europe. These actions were fueled by the efforts of people like Premier James Cockburn, Dr Richard Schomburgk, George McEwin and Sir Edwin Smith (Jones 2005:74). Fields of native vegetation were cleared for settlement and agriculture, in addition to this dozens of introduced species which overtook hectares of native flora (see appendix #1). Animals such as pigs, sheep and cows were brought to these shores and quickly increased, as they were a source of income for many and food for everyone. Because of all this, Bagust and Tout-Smith (2005:viii) claim that over 90% of Adelaide s original flora has been destroyed In Torrens Park Estate: Robert Richard Torrens not only built a beautiful house, but also dedicated substantial effort into his grounds. His gardens were extremely well cared for; he had an orchard, a large banana plantation and an orangery, which containing over 600 trees was his pride and joy (Preiss and Oborn 1991:19,27). He even built an ornamental lake (lost in a flood in 1897) to enhance his grounds and built an irrigation system to keep them well watered during droughts. Contemporary sources (cited ion Preiss and Oborn 1991:201) speak of Torrens s superb collection of exotic plants (see appendix #2), much of which replaced the native flora, but fortunately not completely. 17

18 3.3 Significant Trees found in Survey This survey found that 129 significant trees lie on public land within Torrens Park, these are made up of thirty-five different tree species (see Table #4). The River Red Gum was the most common tree, totaling 32 out of 129. None other tree types reached even half of this frequency (See Table #1). Table # 1 Selected tree frequency Tree Name Frequency Peppercorn Tree 13 Aleppo Pine 9 Desert Ash 8 European Hackberry 7 Lemon Scented Gum 7 Sugar Gum 6 Sweet Gum 6 S.A. Blue Gum 5 All the other tree species were represented by only one to three examples, but 70 out of the 129 were some type of gum tree. It is interesting that of the three trees that were reputed to cover the Adelaide plains, River Red Gum, Wattle trees and Grey Box, only the River Red Gum shows up with any consistency. There are only three Grey Box trees found by this survey and no Wattle trees at all. This is testimony to the destruction that has been wrought upon the plains and hills since colonization. The locations of the trees in Torrens Park are of as much interest as the trees themselves, as their density reflects what the land has been used for. The trees north of Blythewood road are located in a much higher consistency than those south of Blythewood, with the scarce exceptions of Adams street, the south-east end of Thorpe street, and one section of Gowrie street (see Figure #3). This would be due the settlers using the land south of Blythewood for small farms, while north of Blythewood the land was mostly within the 18

19 boundaries of the Torrens Park Estate, whose owners sought to preserve and enhance their gardens and grounds. Many trees lie in processions along both sides of streets, and within each street nearly all trees are the same species, and not too dissimilar in size. The exceptions are most likely from before the street sides were planted. Photo #3 Tree 132 Grey Box microcarpa), Gowrie Street. Photo #4 Tree 140 Peppercorn Tree (Schinus molle), George Street. 19

20 3.4 Observations Over the two months spent surveying the trees; several trees along the Brownhill Creek banks, within the shopping center were cut down. It is curious because these trees were (or appeared to be) healthy and posed no risk to public safety nor were they apparently impeding construction. The tree numbered #100 (see photo #5), is the only Salmon Gum found in this project, it stands out for its unique appearance. It should be kept in mind when other trees are surveyed for Torrens Park and other areas of Mitcham, so that is can be determined if it is one of a very small number. If it is then it should receive further protection, including nomination to the National Trust register. Streets that have been lined with trees are usually done so with one type of tree, where there is an odd tree within the plantings this could mean that the tree was there from before construction, remnant of the old vegetation, perhaps. Photo #5 Tree 100 Salmon Gum salmonophloia), Adam Street. 20

21 3.5 Case Study for Nomination to the National Trust Register: (NTSA n.d.) The case study below for the inclusion of several gums on the National Trust Register follows the format set out in the application form. Of the 129 tree included in this report, all of which are deemed significant by the current legislation. Five gums were discovered to fit the criteria for further protection. Photo #6 Tree 009 Red River Gum camaldulenis), Mitcham Shopping Centre. Botanical names: Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus leucoxylon Common name: River Red Gums and S.A. Blue Gums Location: Mitcham shopping Center, on the corner of Belair and Prince Rd. sitting along the bank of Brownhill Creek (see photos #6 and 7). This section of Brownhill creek lies between the Mitcham Shopping Center car park, on Princes Road and the National Pharmacy car park on Belair Road. (Refer to Table #3, trees numbered 6-10 and corresponding photographs) 21

22 Tree or trees: This nomination is for a stand of trees, five in total. The trees are significant for the following category: 1. Natural value: (R) an isolated remnant of native vegetation or is a species or variety that is rated Rare, Endangered or Vulnerable Why is it significant? As already mentioned the Adelaide plains was once thick with beautiful gum trees. The Brownhill Creek was lined with River Red Gums, unfortunately due to agriculture and urbanization, only a very small percentage remains of this. This stand of trees is a tiny glimpse of what plains used to be like. These trees are quite large, with extensive root systems. Are there any management issues/ threats? Construction around the creek and shopping center has already cost the bank several of it younger trees, which by their size were not protected by legislation. Further construction could be the cause of damage to these trees, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Photo #7 Tree 008 Red River Gum camaldulenis), Mitcham Shopping Centre. 22

23 4. Problems and difficulties: Before any proper survey is carried out, a quick walk-through or drive-through is essential. A surveyor or researcher should have a rough idea of the size, type of terrain and accessibility of their targeted area, beyond what a map shows. Once this is known, a realistic amount of time can be set aside for field work and data collection. I failed to do this and was confronted with more trees than I expected. This made meeting deadlines very difficult. For projects such as this one, interaction with the public is very important, especially if a researcher intends to cover both public and private land. From my experiences during the completion of this report I have put together a few guidelines for anyone intending to survey trees on private land in Torrens Park or another suburb in Mitcham: 1) Always carry identification from whatever school or office you are working from. 2) If intending to survey private land, make prior contact with residents. a) Circulate a flyer, with clear and concise details about your project and what you wish to do, who you are working with and any relevant contact details. 3) Whether on private or public land, before including any photo in your report all faces of pedestrians and all car license plates need to be blotted out, unless they are relevant and you have permission. 23

24 5. Conclusion: The Adelaide Plains and Hills have been in constant and rapid change since 1836; the purely native vegetation has almost completely given way to alien plants and agriculture. Decades later as agriculture was pushed out of Adelaide, the farms were replaced as subdivision took place and suburbia emerged. With more and more of the landscape disappearing beneath the construction of homes, railways, churches and schools, it seems only isolated trees and stands of trees remain as proof of the once magnificent landscape surveyed by Colonel Light in the 1830s. The trees of Torrens Park warrant further study. This project has only been concerned with public land, resulting in one hundred and twenty nine significant trees. But Table #2 shows two examples of significant trees on private property (see photo #8). That and the fact that all trees within Torrens Park that have already been placed on the National Trust register come from private land confirm that further surveying concentrating on private property is essential in order to gather a complete picture of this area s significant trees. Photo #8 Tree 027 River Red Gum camaldulenis), Private home on Newark Road. 24

25 Appendix: Appendix #1. Native and introduced plants from the Adelaide Hills and Plains. (Cited in Jones and Payne 1998:85-91, Horticopia 2006, USDA: NSCS 2007) American Aloe or Century Plant (Agave americana) Almond (Prunus dulcis) Aucubas (Aucaba sp.) Ash (Fraxinus sp.) Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) Apples Apricots Beech (Fagus sp.) Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Box (Buxus sempervirens) Box-Elder Maple (Acer negundo) Buckthorn (Rhamus sp.) Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa) Bhutan Cypress (Cupressus torulosa) Balsam Poplar (Populus tacamahaca) Blackberry Common Horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) Camellia (Camellia japonica) Carob or St. John s Bread Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) Camphor Laurel or Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum camphora) Coral-tree (Erythrina corallodendron) Common Coral-tree or Cockspur Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli) Common Myrtle or Foxtail Myrtle (Myrtus communis Boetica ) Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) Chinese Arborvitae or Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja orientalis) Cherries Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) Crab Apple (Malus baccata) Camellias (Camellia sp.) Cockspur Thorn (Crataegus crus-gallii) Common Linden/ Common Lime (Tilia europaea) Catalpa/ Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonioides) Cork Oak (Quercus suber) Date Palm (Phoenix dactyifera or dactylifera) 25

26 English Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) and (Crataegus monogyna) English Elm (Ulmus procera) English Oak (Quercus robur) English Ivy (Hedera helix) Firs (Abies sp.) Flowering Ash (Fraxinus ornus) French Tamarisk (Tamarix gallica) False Acacia/ Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Filbert Golden Ash or Common Ash (Fraxinua excelsior) Grey Poplar (Populus canescens) Gingko or Maidenhair Tree (Gingko biloba) Grapes Guava Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) Horse-Chestnuts (Aesculus sp.) Hawthorns (Crataegus sp.) Holly (Ilex sp.) Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) Holly Oak (Quercus ilex) Illawarra Flame Tree or Flame Bottletree (Brachchiton acerifolius) Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) Irish Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) Ivy (Hedera sp.) Indian Bean Tree or Southern Catalpa (Catalpa bignonidoes) India-rubber Fig (Ficus elastica) Jerusalem Thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata) Juniper (Juniperus sp.) Jarrah marginata) Karri diversicolor) Kentish Cherry (Prunus cerasus) Lombardy Poplar/ Black Poplar (Populus nigra Italica ) Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) Lily Magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) Laurel/ Sweet Bay (Laurus sp.) Lilac (Syringa sp.) Laburnum/ Alpine Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum alpinum) Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus marcophylla) Morton Bay Pine (Araucaria cumminghamii) Moreton Bay Chestnut (Castanospermum australe) Mount Etna Broom (Genista aetnensis) Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster) 26

27 Magnolia (Magnolia sp.) Medlar (Mespilus Germanica) Mulberry Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) Norfolf Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) Nettle Tree or European Hackberry (Celtis australis) New Zealand Laurel or Corynocarpus (Corynocarpus laevigatus) Nectarines Olive (Olea europaea) Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) Oleander (Nerium oleander) Osier/ Pussy Willow (Salix cinerea ssp oleifolia) Oriental Plane or Oriental Sycamore (Platanus orientalis) Oak (Quercus sp.) Prickly Moses (Acacia verticillata) Persian Walnut or English Walnut (Juglans regia) Pyramid Tree or Norfolk Island Tree/ Hibiscus (Lagunaria patersonii) Plum Pine or Rockingham Podocarp (Podocarpus elatus) Pussy Willow (Salix caprea) Peach (Prunus persica) Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Pear (Pyrus communis) Pistachio (Pistacia lentiscus) Phillyrea/ Mock Privet (Phillyrea decora or P. latifolia) Photinia (Photinia sp.) Pine (Pinus sp.) Pittosporum (Pittosporum sp.) Plums Pomegranate Quince (Cydonia oblonga) Rimu or Red Pine (Dacrydium cupressium) Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) Rhododendron (Rhododendron grande ssp grandia) Red Horse-Chestnut (Aesculus xcarnea) Rowna Tree/ European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia) Red River Gum Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata) Raspberry Spanish Chestnut or Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) Sugarberry or Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis) 27

28 Silver Tree (Leucadendron argenteum) Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) Scotch Elm (Ulmus glabra) Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis) Strawberry Trees (Arbutus sp.) Spruce (Picea sp.) Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum) Sycamore Maple/ Planetree Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) Shad-bush (Amelanchier candensis) Silver Birch (Betula pendula) Swamp Cypress/ Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) Sugar Gum cladocalyx) S.A. Blue Gum/ White Gum leucoxylon) Stone Pine (Pinus pinea) Thuja (Thuja sp.) Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris) TAS. Blue Gum globulus ssp globulus) Viburnum (Viburnum sp.) Vines White Willow (Salix alba) Whitebeam (Sorbus aria) W. A. Red Flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia/ Eucalyptus ficifolia) White Ash (Fraxinus americana) White Cedar (Melia azedarach ssp australica) White Mulberry (Morus alba) Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) Yew (Taxus sp.) 28

29 Appendix #2. Plants from Torrens Park. (Cited in Preiss and Oborn 1991:574-6, Horticopia 2006, USDA: NSCS 2007) Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) American Black Walnut, Black Walnut (Juglan nigra) Atlas Cedar (Cedrus libani ssp. Atlantica) Betel Nut (Areca catechu) Betel Palm (Areca catechu) Thorny Bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea), Bamboo Banana Blue Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) Bull Bay Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii), Bunya bunya (Araucaria bidwillii) Blood Orange Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) Carob (Certonia siliqua), St. John s bread (Carob) (Certonia siliqua) Common Orange Cook Island Pine (Araucaria columnaris), New Caledonia Pine Coral Tree (Erythrina indica) (Photinia serrulata) Chinese Hawthorn, Chinese Photinia (Corynocarpus laevigatus) New Zealand Laurel, Corynocarpus Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata syn Casuarina stricta) Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara) Dorshapo Lemon Dammaras (a synonym of Agathis), Kauri Pine (Agathis macrophylla), Moore Kauri (A. moorei), Smooth Bark Kauri (A. robusta) Dracaenas Dwarf Pine (Caryota soblifera) English Oak (Quercus robur) Grass Tree/ Yaccas (Xanthorrhoea semiplana) Grey Box microcarpa) Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnatha) Hoop Pine (Araucarias cunnighamii) Irish Strawberry (Arbutus unedo), Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo.) (Jacaranda mimosifolia), Jacaranda 29

30 Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus) Leucadendron argentem, Silver Tree London Plane (Plantanus hybrida), Plane tree Macadamia (Macadamia ternifolia) Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis), European Fan Palm Mandarins Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) Moreton Bay Chestnut (Castanospermum australe) Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) (Musa ensete) Abyssinian Banana (Musa glauca) Native Apricot (Pittosporum phylliraeoides) Navel Orange Nectarines Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) Oriental Planes Peaches Pepper Tree (Schinus molle), California Pepper Tree Pereskia (Pereskia bahiensis) Pyramid Tree (lagunaria patersonii), Norfolf Island Hibiscus Poorman Orange (New Zealand grapefruit) Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) Rusty Fig (Ficus rubiginosa) River Red Gum S.A. Blue Gum leucoxylon) Southern Cypress- pine/ Native Pine (Callitris preissii) Seville Orange Sweet Lemon Scarlet Oak Small-fruited Fig (Ficus virens), Grey Fig Stone Pine (Pinus pinea) Sugar Gum cladocalyx) Taxodiums, Cypress trees Washingtonia filifera, Desert Fan Palm Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) 30

31 Table #2. Significant Trees from Private Homes Number Location Single or multiple Circumference at 1m Tree Name Description Misc. Information trunks 27 #14A Newark Rd, front yard m River Red Gum Grey and white bark 31 #5 Newark Rd, front yard m River Red Gum White trunk

32 Table #3. Significant Trees from Public Land Number Location Single or Circumference at 1m Tree Type/ Name Description Misc. Information multiple trunks 1 Princes Rd (just off Belair Rd) m Ironbark Dark bark Behind the Taste Good café. Next to their sign. Mitcham shopping center (MSC) sideroxylon) 2 Outside IGA supermarket, in car park behind Taste Good café. MSC River Red Gum Lighter trunk, lots of fallen bark 3 Outside IGA, Princes Rd car park, MSC River Red Gum Light trunk, with fallen bark Tiny new growth 4 Outside IGA, Princes Rd car park, MSC 1 then River Red Gum Dark trunk base, lighter higher up, with fallen bark 5 Princes Rd, Car park outside of IGA, next to IGA sign. MSC River Red Gum Dark trunk base, lighter higher up, Green, red and orange 32

33 with fallen bark bits of trunk 6 Brownhill Creek, Belair Rd side, outside IGA, outside National Pharmacy. MSC S.A. Blue Gum leucoxylon) Really inconvenient position, white and gray trunk. 7 Brownhill Creek, IGA side, next to small bridge MSC S.A. Blue Gum White and gray trunk leucoxylon) or River Red Gum 8 Brownhill Creek, IGA side, second from the small bridge River Red Gum Black and craggy base MSC 9 Brownhill Creek, IGA side, River Red Gum White trunk outside of MSC loading area, third from the small bridge 10 Brownhill Creek, IGA side, River Red Gum White trunk outside MSC loading area, nearest the tunnel. 11 Newark Rd, car park across from River Red Gum White trunk 33

34 Mitcham council office MSC 12 Newark Rd. car park across from River Red Gum White trunk Mitcham council office, outside Pasadena Travel 13 Princes Rd, on edge of MSC new car park between in and out roads of car park European Hackberry (Celtis australis) Grey trunk, oval shaped seasonal leaves 14 Princes Rd, footpath out front of #18 Princes Rd European Hackberry (Celtis australis) Grey trunk, oval shaped seasonal leaves 15 Footpath out front of #18A Princes Rd European Hackberry (Celtis australis) Grayish trunk, green oval shaped, seasonal leaves 17 Footpath out front of #18A Princes Rd near postbox and driveway European Hackberry (Celtis australis) Grayish trunk, green oval shaped seasonal leaves 18 Footpath out front of #22 Princes European Hackberry Grayish trunk, 34

35 Rd (Celtis australis) green oval shaped seasonal leaves 19 Footpath/front garden outside of fence of #28 Princes Rd River Red Gum White trunk, dark bark 20 Foot path outside of #23 Princes Rd European Hackberry (Celtis australis) Grey trunk, green oval shaped seasonal leaves 21 Footpath in front of #32B Princes Rd European Hackberry (Celtis australis) Grey trunk, green oval shaped, seasonal leaves 22 Car park between Newark Rd and Princes Rd. outside of newsagent River Red Gum Grey and white bark 25 Backyard of Mitcham council River Red Gum Grey and white office, Newark Rd car park trunk Very broad 35

36 30 Ayr Avenue footpath River Red Gum 32 Footpath in front of #5 Newark Rd Desert Ash (Fraxinus (driveway) angustifolia) 33 Belair Rd, Mitcham council office, 1, then Jacaranda front car park at one (Jacaranda meter mimosifolia) 34 Ayr Avenue, close to Belair Rd , 1.01 Peppercorn Tree outside of #1 Ayr Avenue = 2.83 (Schinus molle) 35 Out front of #7 Ayr Avenue Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) 38 End of Balkissoch Rd 1 then Peppercorn Tree (Schinus molle) White trunk Brown, bumpy, crocodile skin trunk, green seasonal leaves Fern type Fern type leaves huge Branches droop down, scraggy trunk Branches recently trimmed Very recently cut branches, sap still attached. 36

37 39 Out front of #10 Balkissoch Rd Desert Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) 40 Out front of #10 Balkissoch Rd, a Desert Ash (Fraxinus little further towards Princes Rd angustifolia) 41 Out front of #76 Princes Rd Sweet Willow Myrtle (Agonis flexuosa) 42 Out front of #27A Fife Avenue QLD Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus) 43 Outside of #4 Ayr Avenue English Oak (Quercus robur) 44 Outside of #4 Ayr Avenue Red-flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia) 45 Ayr Avenue, just past bridge near Sugar Gum Adeer Street, next to metal fence cladocalyx) 46 Ayr Avenue, opposite #15B Ayr 1 Approx River Red Gum Avenue on Brownhill Creek bank Crocodile skin trunk, little pods Crocodile skin trunk, little pods Dark bark, stringy bark Spudy nuts like acorns Seasonal leaves Difficulty with measurement. 37

38 47 Fife Avenue out front of # London Plane Tree (Platanus x acerifolia) 48 Barrelder Rd, outside of # , 1.17, 0.75 Sweet Gum Belair Rd = 2.55 (Liquidambar styraciflua) 49 Out front of #6 Barrelder Rd , 2.02 = Sweet Gum 2.72 (Liquidambar styraciflua) 50 Out front of #8 Barrelder Rd , 0.54, 0.94, Sweet Gum 0.44, 0.54 = (Liquidambar 3.67 styraciflua) 51 Out front of #10 Barrelder Rd , 1.53 = Sweet Gum 2.34 (Liquidambar styraciflua) 52 Out front of #10 Barrelder Rd, Sweet Gum East Side (Liquidambar styraciflua) 53 Out front of #10A Barrelder Rd , 0.69, 0.64 Sweet Gum = 2.40 (Liquidambar Pale trunk, fuzzy ball seedpods, seasonal leaves Seasonal leaves (green to purple) Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Moss covered trunk Moss covered trunk 38

39 styraciflua) 54 Lochwinnoch Rd, east side, just beyond little bridge Black Poplar (Populus nigra) Rainforest/flask Gordon type tree 55 Lochwinnoch Rd, east side, just Black Poplar Same as above beyond little bridge (Populus nigra) 56 Lochwinnoch Rd, east side, just beyond Paisley Avenue River Red Gum 57 Paisley Avenue, out front of # , 1.46 = 2.46 QLD Brush Box (Lophostemon Tiny little pod tops confertus) 58 Inverloch Avenue, east side, out front of #17, near creek, opposite #16 and 14A Smooth Bark Kauri (Agathis robusta) Grey trunk, green seasonal leaves 59 Inverloch Avenue, near #19, opposite # Manna Gum viminalis) 60 End of Lois Avenue, outside Scotch College back gates Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) 61 Next to East Lodge on Muggs Hill Peppercorn Tree Bumpy trunk 39

40 Rd (Schinus molle) 62 Corner of Leonard TCE and Lois Avenue, East Side Desert Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) 63 Muggs Hill Rd, on the side of # River Red Gum Leonard TCE 64 Muggs Hill Rd, on the side of # River Red Gum Leonard TCE, a bit further north 65 Brownhill Creek, end of Lochness , 1.08 = White Cedar (Melia Avenue (council reserve) 2.14 azedarach) 66 Brownhill Creek, end of Lochness Lemon scented Gum Avenue (council reserve), near (Corymbia little bridge citriodora) 67 Brownhill Creek, end of Lochness River Red Gum Avenue (council reserve), nearer to the little bridge 68 In front of #30 Lochness Avenue Lemon scented Gum Croc shin trunk Trunk is bulged at the base Grey/brown trunk Resident remembered when they were planted (1967) 40

41 (Corymbia citriodora) 69 In front of #30 Lochness Avenue, bit further north Lemon scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora) 70 In front of #32 Lochness Avenue Lemon scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora) 71 In front of #32 Lochness avenue, Lemon scented Gum further north (Corymbia citriodora) 72 Corner of Lochwinnoch and , 1.16 = Kurrajong Carruth Rd 2.39 (Brachychiton populneus) 74 Out front of #2 and #4 Kilbryde Desert Ash (Fraxinus Rd angustifolia) 75 Corner of Blythewood and Old Sugar Gum Belair Rd, next to round-about cladocalyx) 76 Corner of Anderson Ave and S.A. Blue Gum Slightly pink bark Little leaves Croc skin bark, seasonal leaves 41

42 Mclaren St leucoxylon) 77 Corner of Anderson Ave and Mclaren St River Red Gum 78 Thorpe St, opposite # Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) 79 Thorpe St, opposite # Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) 80 Thorpe St, opposite #22, further , 1.41 = Aleppo Pine (Pinus south 3.09 halepensis) 81 Thorpe St, opposite # Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) 82 Thorpe St, opposite #24 and end Aleppo Pine (Pinus property halepensis) 83 Thorpe St, near corner, one tree Aleppo Pine (Pinus shy of end halepensis) 84 Corner of Thorpe St and Anderson Aleppo Pine (Pinus Ave halepensis) 85 Corner of Glenburnie St and River Red Gum Very tall 42

43 Anderson Ave, west side 86 Out front #24 Glenburnie St River Red Gum 87 Out front of #24 Glenburnie St, further North Lemon scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora) 88 Out front of #12B Glenburnie St , 1.51 = TAS Blue Gum 5.27 globulus) 89 Out front of #12A Glenburnie St , 1.42 = European Olive 2.86 (Olea europaea) 90 Corner of Glenburnie St and Ford , 1.22 = Pyramid Tree or Ave 3.76 Norfolk Island Hibiscus (Lagunaria patersonii) 91 Out front of #13 Glenburnie St Desert Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) Grey trunk Craggy bark small gray/green leaves Seedpods (tops looked like hot cross buns), leaves were hole ridden Croc skin bark, dangly pods Splits at ground level Numerous Spiders 43

44 92 Out front of #3 letterbox, Chalk PL Common Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) 93 Corner of Chalk PL and Ford Ave S.A. Blue Gum leucoxylon) 94 Ford Ave, just outside the entrance , 1.95 = Stringy Gum to Randell Park 4.26 regnans) 95 Adams St (north side), along side River Red Gum first property (house faces Braemar Rd) 96 Adams St, opposite # River Red Gum 97 Adams St, opposite #6, further Sugar Gum west cladocalyx) 98 Adams St, opposite #6, just passed River Red Gum to the west of it 99 Adams St, north side, further west River Red Gum White and red trunk Brown bark 44

45 from #6 100 Corner of Adams St and George St, north side Salmon Gum White and orange trunk salmonophloia) 101 Next to corner of Adams St and Braemar Rd, north side River Red Gum 102 Braemar Rd, our front of # Desert Ash (Fraxinus Croc skin bark angustifolia) 103 Belair Rd, out front of # Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) Extensive root system, rainforest look 104 Corner of Eli St and Braemar Rd River Red Gum 105 Out front of #283 Belair Rd Cypress Pine (Callitris Soccer ball looking nut pods columellaris) 106 Belair Rd, public patch, little , 1.42 = Peppercorn Tree Droopy leaves 45

46 incline, behind bus stop #20 (little 2.81 (Schinus molle) to the west), between Belair Rd and Alton Ave 107 Belair Rd, public patch, little incline, behind bus stop #20 (little , 1.36 = 2.89 Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) to the east), between Belair Rd and Alton Ave 108 Belair Rd, public patch, little incline, behind bus stop #20 (little to the east, closer to the road), between Belair Rd and Alton Ave , 1.77 = 2.93 Peppercorn Tree (Schinus molle) 109 End of Jansen CT, north side Ironbark sideroxylon) 110 Land between John Fisher Dr and , 1.29, 3.38 Ironbark Jansen CT, next to #3 John Fisher = 5.78 sideroxylon) Dr 111 Belair Rd, near corner with John Peppercorn Tree Fisher Dr (Schinus molle) 112 Belair Rd, near corner with John , 1.14 = Peppercorn Tree Fisher Dr, closer to road 2.35 (Schinus molle) Droopy leaves Black trunk, craggy bark Black gray trunk Droopy leaves Droopy leaves 46

47 113 Belair Rd, near Cezanne CT Peppercorn Tree (Schinus molle) 114 Belair Rd, near Cezanne CT, , 1.22, 1.25, Peppercorn Tree further north-north/east 0.49, 1.23 = (Schinus molle) Belair Rd, Railway side. Just Sugar Gum passed crossing, opposite Fife Ave cladocalyx) 116 Belair Rd, Railway side, Just past Sugar Gum Barrelder Rd, next to bus stop #15 cladocalyx) 117 Belair Rd, Railway side, just River Red Gum before Kilbryde Rd 118 Belair Rd, railway side. Just past S.A. Blue Gum Kilbryde Rd leucoxylon) 119 Belair Rd, Railway side, Little past , 1.48 = Lemon scented Gum previous tree (#118), opposite 2.60 (Corymbia #183 Belair Rd citriodora) Droopy leaves Droopy leaves Grey and pink trunk 47

48 120 Belair Rd, Railway side, half way between Kilbryde Rd and Blythewood Rd. opposite # 187 Belair Rd 121 Belair Rd, Railway side, next to bus stop #16, towards Blythewood Rd 122 Belair Rd, railway side, south of bus stop, opposite #193 and 195 Belair Rd, near Blythewood Rd 123 Belair Rd, Railway side, opposite #195 Belair Rd, towards generator building near Blythewood Rd 124 Belair Rd, railway side, behind generator building, next to train stop #1 Torrens Park 125 Belair Rd, Railway Side, opposite #229 Belair Rd 126 Belair Rd, east side, north of Norris CRT River Red Gum Grey Box microcarpa) River Red Gum S.A. Blue Gum leucoxylon) , 0.86, 1.79 English Elm (Ulmus = 3.97 procera) Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) 1 Approx Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) Leaning trunk Lumpy trunk, gray and stringy bark Rainforest tree, lots of roots 48

49 127 Belair Rd, north of Norris CRT, a little south of #126 tree 128 Belair Rd, east side, just south of Norris CRT 129 Norrie St, half way up street, north side 130 Gowrie St, railway side, opposite #10 Gowrie St and #26 Tennant St, near corner of Gowrie and Tennant 132 Gowrie St, within railway fence, little south of #131 tree 133 Gowrie St, within railway fence, opposite Tennant St 134 Gowrie St, out of railway fence, opposite #14 Gowrie St 1 Approx Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) Sugar Gum cladocalyx) Swamp Mallee spathulata) , 2.13 = Grey Box 2.63 microcarpa) Grey Box microcarpa) TAS Blue Gum globulus) , 2.08, 1.21 European Olive = 4.74 (Olea europaea) Rainforest tree, lots of roots Red skin, black bark, very thin leaves Grey trunk, section hollowed out Bumpy trunk, stringy gray bark 49

50 135 Gowrie St, out front of #14 Gowrie St River Red Gum 136 Gowrie St, railway side, out side of fence, opposite #14 Gowrie St, further south River Red Gum 137 Opposite corner of Belair and Barretts Rd, out front of Saris Peppercorn Tree (Schinus molle) Units, #300 Belair Rd and #2 Other Rd 138 Belair Rd, out front of #298 and #296 Belair rd, north of #137 tree, , 1.25, 0.44 = 3.26 Peppercorn Tree (Schinus molle) west side of rd 139 Outside corner property, #32, on Hugh and Kays Rd Desert Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) 140 Out front of #44 George St Peppercorn Tree (Schinus molle) 141 Out front of #44 George St, further , 2.09 = Peppercorn Tree north 5.38 (Schinus molle) Croc skin bark 50